The construction sector in Dubai, UAE, is witnessing a major boom with more than 26,000 buildings -
including private villas, general buildings, public and industrial establishments besides various kinds of multi-storey buildings, - under construction in the city, said a report.

The buildings department of Dubai Municipality (DM) said there are currently 26,653 buildings under construction, including 16,870 developer’s villas, 1,238 multi-storey buildings, 770 general buildings, 737 industrial buildings and 6,111 private villas, reported Gulf News, citing a senior official.

Layali Al Mulla, the director of DM’s buildings department, said that in the first quarter, the number of buildings under the municipality’s supervision surged to 110,000, out of which 26,653 buildings are under construction.

Al Mulla pointed out that 3,360 buildings have been completed from the beginning of this year until the end of March, out of which 2,296 are investment villas, 103 multi-storey buildings, 783 private villas, 67 industrial buildings, 47 general buildings and 65 skyscrapers.

According to her, these new buildings cover an area of 33.5 million sq ft. The multi-storey buildings occupy 5.3 million sq ft, while the investment villas occupy 7.4 million sq ft.

Al Mulla said engineering inspections were carried out at about 18,840 under-construction buildings, while permits were issued against 4,157 applications for transporting  sand, and the section also received 927 applications for the transfer of sand.

The number of registered contracting companies has risen to about 7,200 and 397 new contractors have been approved, in addition to 58 companies to be upgraded, she added.